About the Book:

Three best friends. A weekend away. And a whole lot of baggage.

Alice, Nina and Jules have been best friends for twenty years. They met in Paris and return there once a year, to relive their youth, leave the troubles of home behind, and indulge in each other’s friendship and warmth. But this year, aged thirty-nine, the cracks in their relationships are starting to show…

After their weekend together in Paris, the three women never speak again. Each claims the other two ghosted them. But is there more to the story?

Published by Head of Zeus

Released November 2022

My Thoughts:

‘Her heart ached that she hadn’t been there for her friend. How had they let things get this far? she thought, crossly. What were they all playing at, not speaking? It was ridiculous.’

After Paris was an absorbing read about long-term friendships, what we share and what we hide, and all the things left unsaid in-between. Alice, Nina, and Jules are an unlikely trio, yet after meeting in Paris one night in their late teens, they form a bond that sees them becoming best friends for the next two decades. After their most recent weekend in Paris though, the three don’t speak or message again for almost nine months after. Within this time of silence, their differences seem more apparent than their similarities.

I found this novel so easy to read and enjoyed it immensely. It took an unexpected plot turn when it dived into the world of online gambling, something I knew existed in essence, but really knew nothing about at all. I’m not going to lie; I was shocked at how easy it was for people to gamble away everything they have and then some from the couch using their phone. It shouldn’t be legal.

The dynamics of female friendship were on full show within this novel, and I enjoyed the honest portrayal by the author. There was plenty of relatable material within this one, that’s for sure. I recommend After Paris for book clubs and readers of life-lit. Four stars.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the review copy.